Anticipation Grows As Red Ball Nears

The final touches are being put on preparation for the Red Ball "Summer Cruise" July 24.Information is available on some of the items that will be included in the auction portion of the event. The featured necklace was recently completed.Donated by Bill and Susan Allen, Allen Designs, the necklace is a one-of-a-kind white and yellow gold pendant, featuring precious black coral with a total of .37 carats of pav diamonds on a reversible domed omega necklace.Valued at $3,500 to $4,500, the pendant is signed by the designer and artist, Bill Allen. Hawaiian black coral, the world's finest and the Hawaii gemstone, is usually found 10-75 meters deep.Precious coral jewelry is the oldest form of gemstone jewelry with pieces in museums 25,000 years old.Black coral is exotic and dramatic and is considered to guard against misfortune.It was treasured by Hawaiian royalty and is carefully collected by hand under strict state regulations.

Center Partners Acquires Group Dekko

NEW YORK PRNewswire - Centre Partners Management LLC today announced that it has completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Dekko Technologies, Inc.and the stock of Pent Technologies, Inc., collectively, known as Group Dekko. Dekko Technologies in North Webster is a Group Dekko company. The investments were completed in partnership with key members of Group Dekko's senior management team an through a newly formed entity, Group Dekko Holdings, Inc. Founded in 1952, Group Dekko is a leading provider of highly engineered electrical, wire, plastic and metal subcomponents, finished products, fixtures and related assemblies for the office furniture, transportation, lighting, appliance, medical device and consumer product end markets.

Public Works Approves Wastewater Contracts

Kiefer Consulting and M.K.Betts Engineering presented contracts to Warsaw's Board of Public Works Friday regarding proposals for services and recommendations for the wastewater utility department and the rebuilding of two tanks at a plant on Market Street. The board approved the contracts, allowing $7,470 to be spent for Kiefer services, including soil sampling, a provision of fertilizer and lime recommendations for local farmers and information regarding application rates for biosolids, the soil-like residue found in sewage after the wastewater treatment process. M.K.Betts will receive no more than $10,000 to rebuild secondary tanks at the wastewater plant.

Secy. Of State Speaks At Local Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon

Indiana's Secretary of State said Monday that child abuse is the leading cause of death in Hoosier children. In Indiana, Todd Rokita told the attendees at the Kosciusko County Child Abuse Prevention Council's luncheon at Mosaique Restaurant, Warsaw, "children die at the rate of about one each week."Last year, 51 children died in Indiana as a result of abuse or neglect. The purpose of the annual luncheon is to call attention to the ongoing problem of child abuse in the state and the nation.April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Rokita was introduced by Jean Northenor, who said when she originally was asked to help the Child Abuse Prevention Council, her first thought was that child abuse didn't happen in Warsaw and Kosciusko County. She was wrong, she said, adding, "Obviously, one is too many." Rokita said that as leaders of this community, the luncheon participants have to ensure that the crime of child abuse doesn't increase as society grows.

Manchester Outlines Budget-Cut Plan

NORTH MANCHESTER - A proposal for school budget cuts was unveiled at Manchester Community Schools' board meeting Tuesday. The proposal, presented by acting superintendent Kim Thurston, will reduce corporation expenses by $280,000 - $340,000. The cost reduction plan for the 2003-04 school year is as follows: • Reduction in staff, for an estimated savings of $259,129. Under this plan, the music program will lose one teacher, Reading Recovery will lose one teacher, special education will lose one teacher and the Gemini Program for the gifted and talented will lost two teachers. • Reduction of instructional assistants and support staff, for an estimated savings of $25,315. • Reductions in overtime pay for support staff, for an estimated savings of $15,000. • Reductions to the extra curricular activities program, for an estimated savings of $15,100.

TIF District Set Up For Biodiesel Plant

Four county boards convened in the old courtroom Monday to approve the Louis-Dreyfus request to establish an economic development area and to approve a tax abatement and benefits for the company. All members of the county council, commissioners, area plan commission and redevelopment commission heard from Louis Dreyfus representative Mike Mandl, Todd Samuelson of Umbaugh and Associates and Thomas Downs of the Ice Miller law firm. In March, after nearly two years of research and study, Louis Dreyfus Commodities announced its decision to build one of the largest soybean processing plants in the world in Kosciusko County, south of Claypool. Groundbreaking at the 250-acre property was April 20.Construction costs are expected to be $120 million.

City Eyes Annexation, Land Swap

The city of Warsaw is taking separate action on two properties involving a sale and an annexation. In a complicated exchange involving land near Hidden Lake on the city's northern edge, the city is prepared sell part of a tract it owns and trade the other portion in exchange for easements needed for sewer lines, city planner Pat Hudson said. United Water Indiana wants to buy part of the tract from the city.The expected price is about $11,000, which is the same as when the city purchased the land a few years ago from Indiana Department of Transportation, Hudson said. United Water needs the property for well fields. The city's 23-acre property is located north of Hidden Lake, which is accessible from Ind.15 near Smith Tire. The exchange of land for sewer easements involves a group of investors who own land surrounding Hidden Lake. Hudson said part of the land could be developed for commercial property around the lake.

County Reluctantly Complies With Mandate From State On Child Support Collection

"It is against my better judgement, and with the threat of monetary penalties to this county," began a letter by Marsha McSherry, Kosciusko County Clerk, to James M.Hmurovich, Director at the Division of Family and Children, Indianapolis, "that in response to your April 30, 1998 deadline (extended to May 15, 1998) that the Kosciusko County Clerk's office does hereby agree to go on the ISETS system" The controversial ISETS system is being pushed by the state of Indiana as a centralized child support collections system.Information entered into the local ISETS database is available to every county in Indiana as well as all other states that are on the ISETS system. McSherry understands the need for a current database to enhance collections and provide availability of data.

Nation's Economic Woes Have Local Impact

Local banks capitalized, ready to lendDespite the daily barrage of stories saying the economy is struggling, the general consensus is local banks remain viable.

Red Cross Seeks Funds To Help Flood Victims

Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross is seeking funds to go toward its Disaster Relief Fund to assist Midwest flood and tornado victims.

Wagon Wheel Board Reorganizes, Abandons Bid To Buy Theater

Negotiations for the Wagon Wheel Theatre Foundation to purchase the local Wagon Wheel Theatre have been suspended.

NOTICE OF SHERIFF SALE - MF-511 - MILLER

Court News 4.4

Circuit CourtFilings The following petitions were filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court with Judge Rex Reed presiding:

Court News 3.29

Superior Court IJudgments The following judgments were awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court I with Judge Duane G. Huffer presiding:

Humane Society

Editor, Times-Union:They say you cannot fix "stupid." However, you can educate yourself to know the truth.

NOTICE OF SHERIFF SALE - MF-619 - KOTTERMAN

Pork

Editor, Times-Union:It may just be my own thinking, but does any one else agree that this country has made drastic changes and actions in recent times?

FULTON COUNTY DRAINAGE - CHIPPEWANUCK CREEK

Zimmer Announces Grant Recipients

Zimmer announced Wednesday that Orthopedic Medical Grants Association LLC has chosen its 2009 grant recipients.

H. Paul Lauster

H. Paul Lauster, 88, Winona Lake, died at 9:09 a.m. May 9, 2010 at Kosciusko Community Hospital.